Improving the Way City Government Works

"Cities are drivers of progress and innovation, and hold solutions to many of the world’s most pressing issues. That is why cities are at the center of so much of what Bloomberg Philanthropies does. Bloomberg Philanthropies convenes mayors at global events and runs innovation competitions. With expertise built during Michael Bloomberg’s tenure as New York City’s mayor, Bloomberg Philanthropies helps cities use data to improve city services. And to promote experimentation, Bloomberg Philanthropies funds dedicated innovation teams to work directly for mayors in city halls around the world. Through its philanthropic consultancy, Bloomberg Associates, in-depth advice is provided to mayors on issues ranging from marketing to municipal integrity. By supporting cities, Bloomberg Philanthropies is able to capitalize on the unique and essential role mayors and city leaders play in leading global progress.
Using data sounds great until you start to see that what you’re doing doesn’t work, that what you’re paying for isn’t making a difference. But of course that’s where the real value comes in . . . "

The Mayors Challenge: Using Competitions to Create Opportunities for Cities to Boldly Experiment

In the United States and Europe, the Mayors Challenge offered city leaders powerful incentives that encouraged them to develop creative new approaches to their cities’ most pressing problems. With our assistance, the winning cities have since been working to bring their ideas to life—testing and adapting them along the way.

[Mesa not cited]

What Works Cities

Helping Cities Use Data and Evidence to Improve People's Lives
Our What Works Cities program is helping mayors enhance their use of data and evidence to engage residents; improve services and government efficiency; and strengthen communities. At the same time, the program is creating a standard for what data-driven decision-making in the public sector looks like and, importantly, what it can achieve for residents. Twenty seven cities were admitted to the What Works Cities program in 2015. The program will reach 100 cities by the end of 2018. Through technical support and peer-to-peer learning, Bloomberg Philanthropies is helping city managers better address issues like homelessness, job growth, and public safety.
So let's a look back to the press release here in Mesa

Mesa selected as one of first cities to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “What Works Cities” initiative

Post Date:08/05/2015 8:32 AM

Mayor John Giles announced today that Mesa is one of the first cities selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities, a $42 million initiative to help 100 mid-sized American cities enhance their use of data and evidence to improve the lives of residents.

Mesa is one of eight cities that will receive expert on-the-ground support and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to make local government more effective. Since the launch of the What Works Cities initiative in April 2015, mayors from every region of the country have expressed their desire for assistance to address local challenges using data and evidence and within the first six weeks alone, 112 U.S. cities across 41 states applied.

"Making better use of data is one of the best opportunities cities have to solve problems and deliver better results for their citizens. The first group of cities in the What Works Cities program represent the range of local leaders across the country who are committed to using data and evidence to improve people's everyday lives," said Michael R. Bloomberg.
What Works Cities collaborates with participating municipalities to review their current use of data and evidence, understand where they are utilizing best practices and identify areas for growth. Through its expert partners, What Works Cities then designs a customized approach to help mayors apply tools to address a variety of local issues including economic development, public health, job creation, and blight.
“In today’s technologically driven world, data and evidence are the fuel that powers the innovation and efficiency of our city services,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said. “Mesa is excited to be one of the first cities in the country to partner with What Works Cities to create data driven outcomes that make Mesa an even better place to live.”
OK - What exactly are your data-driven outcomes?
Working with the What Works Cities world-class partners, Mesa will implement open data practices for the first time.
The City will also define desired results and share progress towards key city functions with residents.
OK e.g...please share what progress
In addition to Mesa, the other inaugural cities selected to participate are Chattanooga, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; Kansas City, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans, Louisiana; Seattle, Washington; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
One hundred cities will be admitted to the program on a rolling basis through 2017, adding momentum to the national movement among cities to use data and evidence to improve the delivery of government services and advance cities’ strategic goals. The What Works Cities initiative capitalizes on Bloomberg Philanthropies’ belief in the importance of data and evidence to improve people’s lives and make government more effective.
The consortium of leading organizations that has been assembled by Bloomberg Philanthropies to provide a program of support, includes Results for America, the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University, the Government Performance Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School, Sunlight Foundation and The Behavioral Insights Team.
Partners will inspire, challenge, and support cities to:

• Create sustainable open data programs and policies that deliver results, increase resident engagement, and promote transparency;
• Better incorporate data into budget, operational and policy decision making;
• Conduct low-cost rapid evaluations that allow cities to continually improve programs; and/ or
• Focus funding on effective approaches that deliver results for citizens.
  Source:

http://annualreport.bloomberg.org/government/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2015annualreport